Some takes from me on this.
Yes we would be struggling in this if we cant even win CCL but if MLS ever wants to be "the league" that players in this part of the world want to come to before Europe then Libs has to be part of MLS.
It can even be an argument that Liga MX is better then us because they play in Libs which attracts big South American talents besides the fact that they have more money then us.
Obviously there problem which have and has prevent this from happening like travel, scheduling and the cold fact that we arent good enough yet. But imo you have to start somewhere and that usually includes the bottom. When the USA started to go to world cups we would get blown out the water with our college players in 1990 but just some thoughts.

Some takes from me on this.
Yes we would be struggling in this if we cant even win CCL but if MLS ever wants to be "the league" that players in this part of the world want to come to before Europe then Libs has to be part of MLS.
It can even be an argument that Liga MX is better then us because they play in Libs which attracts big South American talents besides the fact that they have more money then us.
Obviously there problem which have and has prevent this from happening like travel, scheduling and the cold fact that we arent good enough yet. But imo you have to start somewhere and that usually includes the bottom. When the USA started to go to world cups we would get blown out the water with our college players in 1990 but just some thoughts.

Oh I don't think there's an argument that Liga MX is better than MLS. Until an MLS team can win the CONCACAF CL, that argument can't be made.

I say that once an MLS team can win the CONCACAF CL, then we can talk about entering MLS into the Copa Lib. Until then, let's focus on winning something that we actually MAYBE have a chance to win.

COYB!!

admsghs27

Post #3

Thursday August 14, 2014 9:23pm

Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 3,660

It would be huge for mls clubs to participate in Libertadores. San Lorenzo finally won it yesterday and their always a top club in Argentina. I think 2 mls clubs for now to begin with would be good. The supporter shield, mls cup winner if the same club wins both then the runner up. I don't think they would struggle as much but in the beggining it won't be pretty but in time they can do big things.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #4

Thursday August 14, 2014 9:26pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 5,589

The logistics of making this work would be terrible. You can't just say lets put MLS in Copa Lib. The only way I see this working is if they do somewhat of a regional Copa Lib group stage. Meaning North American teams MLS/Liga MX play Club teams from the Northern part of South America i.e. Clubs from Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Can you imagine NY or New England flying to Buenos Aires or Boca Juniors flying to NY or New England?? That is an 11 hour flight from NY and an almost 12 hour flight from Boston. Jesus that would take a toll on a player. Especially if NY or New England had to fly to Chicago on the weekend to play in MLS.

Right now I just don't see it happening. The money, logistics, and player toll is just too much.

stone88

Post #5

Thursday August 14, 2014 9:42pm

Joined Aug 2012
Total Posts: 927

MLS should def. participate! Other than ECL the Copa Libertadores is the most prestigious Club tournament in the world! It is the most prestigious in the Americas, so American teams really should participate. Want to be the best? Play the best in meaningful competitions. Like others have said we probably won't do well for a while, but at least MLS teams will be playing in a international tournament that can somewhat rival that of the European Champions League. Playing club teams from Mexico to the best leagues in South America will really help MLS in the long run.

Know Nothing

Post #6

Thursday August 14, 2014 9:51pm

Joined Jan 2013
Total Posts: 458

We used to participate in the Copa Sul Americana a few years ago. I'm all for it...the only way to learn and to grow is to experience.

stone88

Post #7

Thursday August 14, 2014 9:58pm

Joined Aug 2012
Total Posts: 927

Original post from 2tone

The logistics of making this work would be terrible. You can't just say lets put MLS in Copa Lib. The only way I see this working is if they do somewhat of a regional Copa Lib group stage. Meaning North American teams MLS/Liga MX play Club teams from the Northern part of South America i.e. Clubs from Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Can you imagine NY or New England flying to Buenos Aires or Boca Juniors flying to NY or New England?? That is an 11 hour flight from NY and an almost 12 hour flight from Boston. Jesus that would take a toll on a player. Especially if NY or New England had to fly to Chicago on the weekend to play in MLS.

Right now I just don't see it happening. The money, logistics, and player toll is just too much.

It wouldn't be a huge deal for MLS if we actually had a more balanced and better constructed schedule to begin with. Currently, the MLS season schedule is soo whacked!

skanglesDC

Post #8

Thursday August 14, 2014 10:25pm

Joined Jan 2013
Total Posts: 2,334

Travel would be challenge but Los Xolos faced Atletico Mineiro last year which was also pretty brutal logistics. If Copa Libertadores comes knocking, I hope we're ready to accept. I'm not worried how the MLS sides would stack up against South American competition. Even if they do poorly there are a lot of lessons they could take away.

I am all for closer Conmebol / Concacaf alignment as it is in everybody's best interest to make the 2016 Copa America format permanent. Closer club interaction is another step in the right direction.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #9

Thursday August 14, 2014 10:33pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 5,589

As a fan I would love it, but if I was a player I would be against it from happening. Ridiculous travel times takes a massive toll on a body.

Jzaval01

Post #10

Thursday August 14, 2014 10:37pm

Joined May 2013
Total Posts: 1,769

DC united did it and did it well in MLS 1.0 which is good to know that it isnt impossible when they went to Copa Sudamericana. I said before that yes there is problems that get in the way but can you deny that the Mexican League is better because of Copa Lib?
Beside the biggest the point of playing in Copa lib is for all the exposure among south americans. We focus so much on Europe and forget that South America attention is just as important. Its quiet obvious in everybodies eyes that MLS teams will prob have struggles but gotta start somewhere. Forces the level of play for MLS teams

Original post from 2tone

As a fan I would love it, but if I was a player I would be against it from happening. Ridiculous travel times takes a massive toll on a body.

If the scheduling is done right then you can you deny that players wouldnt love to part take in a huge tournament.

admsghs27

Post #11

Thursday August 14, 2014 10:51pm

Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 3,660

There are long flights here also. Ny to LA, Seattle to Houston extra... If xolos did it mls teams can do it also. Let's not forget xolos were participating in 4 competitions regular MX season, Copa MX, Concacaf champs league, and Copa Libertadores talk about grueling schedule and travel. Is just a couple more hours of flight and im sure the mls clubs involved will get accommodations for their regular season schedules, the week they have to go to south America or Mexico they won't schedule an mls game for that weekend.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #12

Friday August 15, 2014 12:06am

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 5,589

Original post from Jzaval01

DC united did it and did it well in MLS 1.0 which is good to know that it isnt impossible when they went to Copa Sudamericana. I said before that yes there is problems that get in the way but can you deny that the Mexican League is better because of Copa Lib?
Beside the biggest the point of playing in Copa lib is for all the exposure among south americans. We focus so much on Europe and forget that South America attention is just as important. Its quiet obvious in everybodies eyes that MLS teams will prob have struggles but gotta start somewhere. Forces the level of play for MLS teams

If the scheduling is done right then you can you deny that players wouldnt love to part take in a huge tournament.

I have no idea. I am not a player so really I can't say if they would or wouldn't like the idea.

I am sure there will players for and against it. As I stated: As a fan I would love to see it.

chillguy1992

Post #13

Friday August 15, 2014 12:20am

Joined May 2013
Total Posts: 533

One positive of this is that the first group stage the first two games would be before the mls season begins. After that the question would be would they field their starting units in the copa liberatores or use backups. At the very least copa liberatores could be a chance for players on red cards, long term suspensions, coming back from injuries or using young players to get more playing time. I think its a good idea. The biggest downside would be the travel but in the end I think it would be a positive. A chance for players to expirence playing in the most hostile environments while not necessarily not 100 percent would be a great chance for young us players to feel a taste of concacaf world cup qualifying.

MSantoine

Post #14

Friday August 15, 2014 11:49am

Joined Nov 2012
Total Posts: 2,330

I hope this doesnt happen. The big complaint from MLS teams is that with the US Open, CCL, and International breaks they are already squeezed into a compressed schedule. Since MLS would be guests in this tourney teams would send their reserve squads into these matches. Who wants to watch Seattle's B team or Seatlle U23 squad travel 12 hours to get mopped by Boca Juniors? There's no chance the MLS teams would send their first teamers to those games. So then MLS teams would routinely get beaten since all though MLS starting lineups are getting close to being on par with the rest of this hemisphere the depth is miles behind (thats why we cant win CCL). Then everyone can say how far behind MLS is when the scores are 4-1, 3-0 and they wont care that its Seattle B team, just that its MLS losing "again"

Rey Regicide

Post #15

Friday August 15, 2014 12:35pm

Joined Sep 2013
Total Posts: 385

Original post from MSantoine

I hope this doesnt happen. The big complaint from MLS teams is that with the US Open, CCL, and International breaks they are already squeezed into a compressed schedule. Since MLS would be guests in this tourney teams would send their reserve squads into these matches. Who wants to watch Seattle's B team or Seatlle U23 squad travel 12 hours to get mopped by Boca Juniors? There's no chance the MLS teams would send their first teamers to those games. So then MLS teams would routinely get beaten since all though MLS starting lineups are getting close to being on par with the rest of this hemisphere the depth is miles behind (thats why we cant win CCL). Then everyone can say how far behind MLS is when the scores are 4-1, 3-0 and they wont care that its Seattle B team, just that its MLS losing "again"

.... this is all true, but if we can get more guarantee revenue at the gate, then surely we can afford to at the very least... well by we i mean mls as a whole, increase the salary cap and let loose some dp restrictions.